Narratives

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With Germany's decision to
seek an
armistice - or face domestic as well as military collapse -
arrangements were set in place to convene a peace conference in Paris; the city was unanimously selected by the Allied powers.

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The conference began
somewhat belatedly in mid-January with opening addresses from many of the
key Allies.

Click here to read the German
delegation's protest against the final Allied peace terms.
Click here to read the Allied
response.
Click here to read a Dutch
newspaper editorial condemning the Allied terms.
Click here to read a journalist's account of the signing
ceremony.

Woodrow Wilson's Opening
Address Nominating Georges Clemenceau as President of the Conference, 18 January 1919

I have the great honour to propose as definitive president of this conference the
French Premier, M. Clemenceau.

I do so in conformity with usage. I should do it
even if it were only a question of paying homage to the French Republic, but I
do it also because I desire, and you certainly desire with me, to pay homage to
the man himself.

France, as it is, would alone deserve this
honour, but we are
today in her capital, and it is here that this great Conference has met. France, by her sufferings and sacrifices during the war, deserves a special
tribute. Moreover, Paris is her ancient and splendid capital, where more than
once these great assemblages, on which the fate of the world has depended, have
met.

I am happy to think that the meeting which is beginning crowns the series of
these meetings. This Conference may be considered in some respects as the final
crowning of the diplomatic history of the world tip to this day, for never have
so many nations been represented at the same time to solve problems which in so
high a degree interest the whole world.

Moreover, this meeting signifies for us
the end of this terrible war, which threatened to destroy civilization and the
world itself. It is a delightful sensation for us to feel that we are meeting at
a moment when this terrible menace has ceased to exist.

But it is not only to France, it is to the man who is her great servant that we
wish to pay homage and to do honour. We have learned, since we have had relations
with him, and since he has been at the head of the French Government, to admire
the power of his direction and the force and good sense of his actions.

But,
more than this, those who know him, those who have worked in close connection
with him, have acquired for him a real affection. Those who, like ourselves,
have seen him work in these recent times know how much he is united with us, and
with what ardour he is working for that which we ourselves desire.

For we all
desire the same thing. We desire before all to lift from the shoulders of
humanity the frightful weight which is pressing on them, so that humanity,
released from this weight, may at last return joyfully to work.

Thus,
gentlemen, it is not only to the Premier of the French Republic, it is to M.
Clemenceau that I propose you should give the presidency of this assemblage.